TOWN OF ULSTER, N.Y. -- The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency officials board will continue to start its meetings in the midafternoon.

The decision to maintain a start time of 3:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month came after a proposed 5 p.m. start time was defeated by the board this week in a 2-2 vote.

Board members Al Teetsel and Catherine Nilsen voted in favor of the change, while Leon Smith and Charles Landi were opposed. Board member Dominic Tagliaferro, attending his first meeting since being appointed, abstained.

Teetsel asked for the later start time as a way to make it more convenient for the public to attend.

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"I think by having it at 5 o'clock, we set a tone for the RRA that we want public involvement," Teetsel said. "Everything we can do to get public input is a step forward for the image of the RRA."

The board's meeting typically attract a member of the League of Women Voters, a newspaper reporter, several agency employees and occasionally an Ulster County legislator, but seldom have members of the public been in attendance.

Nilsen said having a later start time would help her personally.

"Having to leave (work in) Poughkeepsie at 2 o'clock to get here at 3 costs me three hours worth of pay every time we have a meeting," she said. "So I'm all for 5 o'clock. That works for me."